In Studio Model Competition

Founded in 1983, the Modular Building Institute (MBI) is the international non-profit trade association serving modular construction. Members are manufacturers, contractors, and dealers in two distinct segments of the industry – permanent modular construction (PMC) and relocatable buildings (RB). MBI strives to keep up with the latest trends of the modular/offsite construction industry and has expanded its membership over the years to include architects, owner/developers, and general contractors.

The mission of the MBI Educational Foundation is to expand opportunities, increase awareness, and foster growth in the commercial modular construction industry by supporting research and development, providing scholarships for students, and developing partnerships and alliances with complementary organizations.

Overview

The AIAS is looking for members to share their models to showcase the work our members do and to provide inspiration for those looking to enhance their skill sets. This competition is open to all years and skill sets – show us what you’ve got!

How to Enter

Share your models that showcase commercial modular construction on your Instagram account between February 15 and June 1, 2019, to enter the competition

Tell us (in 1-2 sentences) what your model is about (hint: tell us why modular construction is useful for your design)

Each Wednesday during the competition the National Officers will select their top five (5) submissions and feature them in the AIAS InStudio Highlights on Instagram. At the close of the competition, the jury will select three winners from the submissions posted between February 15 and June 1, 2019.

Winners will be announced at the 2019 AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

*Note: You must be an active AIAS member to participate*
**You must have a public Instagram account to participate**
***There is no limit to the number of models you can submit, but please choose your best!***

Prizes

Three winners will be selected and their work will be showcased at AIAS Grassroots 2019.

The winning cash prizes are as follows:

1st Place: $500

2nd Place: $250

3rd Place: $100

Deadline

You must have uploaded your photographs to Instagram by 11:59 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2019.

What Is Modular Construction?

This contest focuses on commercial modular construction, which includes offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, apartments, dorms, and any other commercial application. Commercial modular construction does not include single family homes.

Modular buildings can be as big or as small, have whatever design features, and be constructed of whatever materials an architect desires. It is helpful to think of “modular” as a construction process rather than a building type. A “modular” building simply means that the construction materials were first delivered to a factory, assembled into three-dimensional volumetric modules, then transported to the final building site to be stacked side-by-side and on top of each other. A modular building must still meet all the same building codes and requirements as if it were built onsite using conventional construction. This is most commonly a version of the International Building Code.

Additional resources include research of modular construction and case studies.

Fine Print

Please Note: Acknowledging the collaborative tendency of architecture studios in academic settings, In Studio Competitions are open to both individual work as well as group work. If an AIAS member chooses to submit a project, image, model, or sketch to any of the AIAS InStudio Competitions that was the product of more than one individual, it is important that all participants are aware of the submission and that their names are included in the associated description. Prior to submission, all individuals that contributed to the work being entered must come to a consensus regarding the allocation of the potential prize funds. Ideally, group submissions would donate their winning funds to their AIAS Chapter or split the funds equally. If an entry is chosen as a competition winner, the prize funds will be issued to the individual that submitted said work to distribute in accordance with their pre-determined distribution plan.